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NATO Jets Down Drone Over Latvia As Separate Drone Explodes In Moldova

On Monday, June 8, 2026, NATO-allied fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace, Latvia's military said.[1]

Latvia has not yet confirmed whether the drone originated from Russian or Ukrainian territory.[1] Separately, early on June 8 a drone entered Moldovan airspace and exploded in a field amid a large Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine.[1] Moldova's foreign ministry said Russia is responsible for any drone landing on Moldovan territory, regardless of origin.[1]

Less than two weeks earlier, drones tied to Russia exploded over Romania, fueling fears that the Ukraine war could spill into NATO states.[1] Latvia borders Russia and Belarus and is a NATO member, making any airspace breach politically sensitive for the alliance.[1]

  1. CBS News
Russia-Ukraine War NATO & European Security
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📌 Key Facts

  • On Monday, June 8, 2026, NATO-allied fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace, according to Latvia's military.
  • Latvia, a NATO member bordering Russia and Belarus, has not yet confirmed whether the drone originated from Russian or Ukrainian territory.
  • In a separate incident early June 8, a drone entered Moldovan airspace and exploded in a field during a large Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine.
  • Moldova's foreign ministry stated that, regardless of origin, Russia is responsible for any drone landing on Moldovan territory.
  • The incidents follow Russian drones that exploded over Romania less than two weeks earlier, heightening fears of the Ukraine war expanding into NATO states.

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June 08, 2026